When you get up in the morning, think that God gave you that day that you weren’t able to give it to yourself, and set aside the first hour or even a quarter of an hour from the day given to you and bring it as a sacrifice to God by a thanksgiving and supplication prayer. The more fervour you will put into it, the more your day will be blessed and the stronger you will become in front of the temptations you encounter during the day.

Likewise, when you go to sleep, think that God gave you rest from your labours. Offer to God a pure and humble prayer. Its great fragrance will make your guardian angel come and guard you. Morning prayer is for man what morning dew is for plants. The one who prays to God in the morning, with due heed, is happier and more peaceful for the rest of that day. The mind deals all day long with what was its concern in the morning, as a millstone that grinds either wheat or tares.

Let us always strive in the morning to put wheat so that the enemy does not pour tares. Let us spend the day we have ahead so that it leads us to the eternal day and not to the eternal night. Force yourself so that, among daily tasks,  you  find even a few minutes to return by thought and blessed prayer to the One who blesses the honest work and fulfils the good work.

Work and prayer is the most necessary and best way to use the time that God gives us every day. ‘Pray and work.’ Here’s the golden rule of prayer that embraces all the wisdom of the earthly life. You haven’t been created for earth, but for heaven. After the labours and cares of life, rise your mind and heart, pour out your soul before God by prayer and thanksgiving. Pray! This is your duty, your glory, your happiness. From work, pass to prayer and from prayer to work! Pray and work! Start and end your day with God.

When you go to sleep remember that the type and porch of death is sleep. Remember the past and put your faith in the Lord. Use better the present.

(Translated from Părintele Arsenie Boca, Mărgăritare duhovnicești, Editura Credința strămoșească, p. 94-96)